Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Associate Professor of Climatology, Department of Geography, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
2
PhD student of Climatology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the heavy rainfall and flooding that occurred in May 2024 in Khorasan Razavi . In this research, an analysis of the rainfall data for May 2024 in Khorasan Razavi revealed that the peak of the heavy rainfall occurred on the 16, 17, and 18 of May, which were selected for further study. To analyze the synoptic conditions of this heavy rainfall, daily maps of surface pressure, 500 hPa, Omega, Vorticity, and moisture flux at 850 hPa were used. Satellite images from the Sentinel mission in Google Earth Engine were also employed to identify flood-prone areas and conduct a detailed analysis. The results showed that a low-pressure system in southeastern Iran and northwestern Pakistan directed warm and moist air from the southern regions towards northeastern Iran. On May 18, 2024, this system transported moist air towards northeastern Iran, leading to increased humidity in the region. This rise in humidity, combined with higher temperatures, resulted in further temperature increases and intense rainfall. The 500 hPa maps also showed the development of a deep trough in western Iran and weak subsidence in northeastern Iran. Gradually, the subsidence in northeastern Iran strengthened, and isobaric lines converged, creating instability. The moisture flux followed a west-east trajectory, moving towards northeastern Iran through the Caspian Sea. Additionally, Sentinel satellite imagery indicated an increase in rainfall due to atmospheric instability and the movement of low-pressure systems, especially in the central, eastern, and southern parts of the province. The estimated area affected by the flooding was 6,822.9 square kilometers, which had a significant impact on the hydrology and geography of the region and could have important consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, and ecosystems in Khorasan Razavi.
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